The return of drought in U.S. cattle-producing areas is delaying ranchers' plans to expand production after the nation's herd shrank to its smallest level in seven decades, farmers and analysts said.

Return of US drought delays cattle-herd rebuilding, hurting Tyson Foods

Klassen: Feeder market holds at higher levels
For the week ending November 2, Western Canadian yearling and calf markets were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. Strong demand continues to support the feeder complex at historical high prices.

U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit contract highs as strong demand fuels rally
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures set new contract highs on Friday as strong domestic and export demand, particularly for U.S. pork bellies and ham, drove the market upward, analysts said. Live cattle futures touched a one-month low, while feeder cattle recovered after reaching the lowest price in more than five […] Read more

Feed Grain Weekly: Barley, corn in southern Alberta on par with each other
Feed barley and corn imported from the United States are currently trading at the same price into southern Alberta, said Lethbridge-based Darcy Haley, vice-president of Ag Value Brokers.

Klassen: Western Canadian calf market surges
For the week ending 26, Western Canadian calf markets were up $8-$12/cwt on average compared to seven days earlier. Pee-wee calves were up $20-$25/cwt compared to the prior week. Finishing feedlot operators were active buyers in all weight categories while backgrounders were cleaning up on smaller packages of calves under 550 pounds.

Klassen: Calf market ratchets higher
For the week ending October 12, the Western Canadian prices for yearlings off grass and backgrounding operations were relatively unchanged from seven days earlier. The Lethbridge market for calves was up $8-$10 from week-ago levels while calf markets in the non-major feeding regions were up a solid $4-$6 on average.

U.S. Livestock: CME lean hogs hit 5-mth peak on demand, cattle range bound
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures advanced on Monday to the highest point in nearly five months on technical buying and seasonal strength, analysts said. Live cattle futures also edged higher on a strong cash market, although large cattle weights and beef demand worries amid a slumping stock market limited gains and […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures rise on technical buying, economic news
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose and feeder cattle touched a two-month high on Friday on technical trading, with stronger-than-expected September jobs data indicating good consumer demand, analysts said. Hog futures touched their highest level in four months before retreating. Benchmark CME December live cattle futures LCZ24 settled up 0.600 cent at […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME cattle futures fall as U.S. port strike continues
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange livestock futures fell on technical trading as the session ended on Thursday, according to analysts, after trading both sides earlier in the day. Benchmark CME December live cattle futures LCZ24 settled down 1.300 cents at 186.400 cents per pound. CME November feeder cattle futures FCX24 ended down 0.425 cent at 248.125 cents […] Read more

U.S. livestock: CME lean hog, live cattle futures end mostly lower
Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures closed mostly lower on Friday, pressured by government data showing the U.S. hog herd expended two per cent during the last quarter as well as worries about a potential strike at U.S. ports next week, analysts said. Some 45,000 union workers could walk off the […] Read more